Volunteer Lawyers Program - Civil

Prospective Volunteer Attorneys

Attorneys who are interested in volunteer service can broaden and enrich their Pro Bono experience by participating in the Civil Court’s Volunteer Lawyers Project.

The Civil Volunteer Lawyers Project offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for attorneys with experience in all practice areas to earn free CLE credit and perform an important and needed public service.

By participating in the Civil Volunteer Lawyers Project, Volunteer Lawyers can offer legal advice and information to un-represented litigants who seek assistance with their Consumer Debt cases at the Civil Court's Help Centers.

After completing CLE certified training, Volunteer Lawyers work in the Civil Court's Help Center under the supervision of Help Center Court Attorneys.

Volunteers meet with un-represented litigants, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their individual cases, and provide legal information and advice. Volunteers do not represent litigants in court proceedings or file papers on their behalf.

For additional information about the Civil Court's Volunteer Lawyers Program contact Laurie B. Milder, Special Counsel, NYS Courts Access to Justice Program 646-386-5850 or email VLPCivil@courts.state.ny.us.

Training and CLE Credit

The Volunteer Lawyers Project offers free CLE credits to attorneys who volunteer to provide pro bono legal information and advice to self-represented litigants in the Civil Court's Help Center. These training sessions are designed to familiarize Volunteer Lawyers with
Consumer Debt law. Training topics include:

Consumer Debt

Civil Court procedure

Ethical Issues in Providing "Unbundled" Legal Services

Attendance at all training sessions is a prerequisite to volunteering.

In exchange for free CLE credit, participating attorneys commit to volunteer in the Civil Court's Help Center in New York County for a minimum of twelve (12) hours within 6 months of training. Every effort is made to accommodate requests.

Volunteer opportunities are now available in the Civil Court's Help Center in New York and Kings Counties only. In the near future, volunteer opportunities will become available in the Civil Court's Help Centers in other counties.

Submit An Application

Register for the Volunteer Lawyers Project for the Civil and Small Claims Courts by completing the on-line application.